What Carmel College does

Carmel College is a Catholic sixth form college located on Prescot Road in St Helens, Merseyside, United Kingdom (WA10 3AG), serving students primarily aged 16-19 who have completed their GCSEs. The college offers a comprehensive academic and vocational portfolio comprising over 40 A Level courses, BTEC and AAQ vocational qualifications (Applied Human Biology, Applied Science, Engineering, Health & Social Care, Information Technology), T Level technical programmes, and Foundation Learning for students requiring additional support. Beyond Level 3 provision, the college operates a University Centre in partnership with the University of Liverpool, delivering degree-level courses, UAL Art Foundation, and PGCE Teacher Training. The institution reports consistent strong academic outcomes, including a 99.6% Level 3 pass rate, 68% top grades (A*-B / Dist*-Dist), and 98% progression to university, employment, or further education destinations, with multiple Oxbridge placements annually. Carmel has held an Outstanding Ofsted rating for over 10 years — the only sixth form college nationally to retain this status — and was ranked No.1 in the North West and top 4 nationally for A*-A grades by The Times in August 2025.

The college operates a technology stack oriented around student information management and administrative efficiency rather than advanced digital product development. Core platforms include the CEDAR student information system, the Connect portal (providing single sign-on access to Office 365, library resources, and remote desktop), and the Application Portal (apply.carmel.ac.uk) for prospective students. The campus has been significantly capitalised, with £23M+ invested in modern facilities including nine science labs, sports facilities, art studios, a performance theatre, and a library with over 10,000 resources, supported by eduroam wireless network access. Student support infrastructure includes counselling, additional learning support for students with disabilities, financial bursaries (General Bursary, Targeted Bursary up to £1,200, Transport Bursary), and safeguarding led by a designated safeguarding lead. Enrolment-related communications and bus pass distribution are operationalised through ParentMail integration, while partnerships with bus operators (Arriva, Stagecoach, Merseytravel, Go Goodwin) provide geographically distributed student transport across St Helens, Warrington, Widnes, and Liverpool.

Carmel's revenue model is dominated by UK government per-pupil funding for 16-19 further education, since education is delivered free at the point of delivery to eligible students. Ancillary revenue streams include paid bus passes (£445 per annum for 2025-2026 on Latchford and Culcheth routes), facilities hire (rooms, sports facilities, event spaces), and contractual transport services for higher education students. The college is governed by a Chair-led Governing Body (Helen Stevenson) and led by Principal Janet Gater. Carmel operates under a Catholic ethos while welcoming students of all faiths and backgrounds, distinguishing it on cultural as well as academic dimensions in its regional market. Strategic depth is reinforced by the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool STEM partnership, the TASS elite athlete support scheme, and an Everton Academy sport partnership.

Name

Carmel College

Legal name

Carmel College

Website

https://carmel.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Carmel College is a Catholic sixth form college in St Helens, UK, offering A Levels, BTEC/AAQ vocational qualifications, T Levels, Foundation Learning, and higher education programmes to students aged 16-19 and beyond, with an Outstanding Ofsted rating and consistent top-tier national academic rankings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Further Education (Sixth Form College)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Transfer/University-Parallel Community Colleges (EDAHADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Community Colleges (Applied/CTE-Focused) (EDAHADAD), Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG)

Keywords

• Further education
• Sixth form college
• A Level courses
• Vocational qualifications
• Higher education

Headquarters

HQ city

St. Helens

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Further Education: As a sixth form college, Carmel receives government funding for educating students aged 16-19. Education is free for students meeting residency and enrollment criteria. Additional revenue comes from ancillary services.
2. Student Transport Services: The college contracts bus services and sells bus passes to students. Routes from Warrington and Widnes are free for eligible students; other routes cost £445 for 2025-2026.
3. Facilities Hire: The college offers facilities for hire including rooms, sports facilities, and event spaces with free car parking.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Carmel College is a Catholic sixth form college delivering government-funded further education to students aged 16-19, including A Levels, BTEC/AAQ vocational qualifications, T Level technical programmes, and Foundation Learning preparatory courses. It also operates a University Centre in partnership with the University of Liverpool offering higher education degrees, UAL Art Foundation and PGCE teacher training. Ancillary services include student transport bus passes, financial bursaries, counselling, additional learning support, careers guidance and facilities hire.

Product overview

Carmel College is a Catholic sixth form college rated Outstanding by Ofsted, offering a comprehensive educational portfolio comprising academic and vocational qualifications at Level 3 alongside higher education pathways. The core academic offerings include over 40 A Level courses, BTEC/AAQ vocational qualifications (including Applied Human Biology, Applied Science, Engineering, Health & Social Care, and IT), T Level technical programmes, and Foundation Learning for students requiring additional support. The institution operates a University Centre in partnership with the University of Liverpool for higher education degrees and offers PGCE teacher training. Beyond formal qualifications, Carmel College provides extensive enrichment through the Carmel+ programme with over 45 activities, including the 10:10 Ethics and Values programme, High Achievers+ programme for ambitious university applicants, Elite Athlete Support, and a Centre of STEM Excellence. Student support encompasses counselling, additional learning support, financial bursaries, and careers guidance. The college delivers its services through digital platforms including the Connect student/staff portal, CEDAR student information system, and an Application Portal for prospective students. The campus features WiFi-enabled facilities and technology-rich learning environments supported by a £23M investment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• A Level Courses Two-year A Level academic qualifications across over 40 subject areas equivalent to three courses for most study programmes, offered to 16-19 year old post-GCSE students at Carmel College.
• BTEC and AAQ Vocational Courses Level 3 vocational qualifications including Extended Certificates in Applied Human Biology, Applied Science, Engineering, Health & Social Care and Information Technology, with Carmel transitioning from BTEC to AAQ (Alternative Academic Qualifications).
• T Level Courses Two-year technical qualifications combining classroom learning with substantial industry placement, counted as three courses in application terms for post-16 students.
• Foundation Learning Courses Preparatory Level 2 courses for students needing additional support or a foundation before progressing to Level 3 qualifications, counted as four courses in application terms.
• Carmel University Centre Higher Education Courses Higher education degree programmes delivered in partnership with the University of Liverpool at Carmel's University Centre, primarily for students continuing after Level 3 qualifications.
• UAL Art Foundation Course University of the Arts London (UAL) Art Foundation qualification offered through the Carmel University Centre for students progressing to art and design higher education.
• PGCE Teacher Training Postgraduate Certificate in Education programme for individuals seeking to become qualified teachers, offered as part of Carmel's higher education provision.
• Student Transport Bus Services Contracted school bus services operated in partnership with providers such as Go Goodwin Transport, Arriva, Merseytravel and Stagecoach covering Warrington, Widnes, Latchford and Culcheth routes; free for eligible students, £445 per academic year for Latchford and Culcheth routes.
• Facilities Hire Hire of college facilities including rooms, sports facilities and event spaces with free car parking available to external organisations and community users.
• Carmel Application Portal Online application system enabling prospective students to search courses, register accounts, submit applications, track status and complete enrolment for the next September intake.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.6% Level 3 pass rate for Class of 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Knowledge Quarter LiverpoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership between Carmel College and Knowledge Quarter for the KQ Future Innovators Programme. Students experience cutting-edge facilities including the Manufacturing Technology Centre and Digital Innovation Facility, robotics demonstrations (Boston Dynamics Spot robot), and hands-on advanced manufacturing insights. The partnership provides STEM career inspiration and industry exposure for A-Level Computer Science and BTEC Engineering students.
• ArrivaminorOthersBus service provider for student transport. Students with Arriva passes can collect from main Reception at Carmel College.
• MerseytravelminorOthersPublic transport authority providing free bus passes for eligible students living in St Helens who are more than 2 miles from college.
• StagecoachminorOthersBus service provider operating routes 741 and 742. Students have experienced some service disruption due to industrial action.
• Go Goodwin TransportminorOthersTransport provider for the FREE contracted service for Higher Education students travelling from Liverpool University. Students must register on ParentMail to secure their place.
• West Park Rugby ClubminorOthersNeighboring facility adjacent to the college campus. Students can park at West Park Rugby Club next to the college entrance.
• University of LiverpoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher Education partnership offering degree-level courses at Carmel College's University Centre. Also provides library access linking Carmel students to University of Liverpool library resources.
• Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS)minorOthersTASS is a lottery-funded partnership supporting elite athletes. Carmel College participates as a delivery partner for the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme.
• Everton AcademyminorOthersPartnership providing sport development opportunities for Carmel students, mentioned as one of the college's affiliations.
• Sarah Cowley Educational TrustminorOthersTrust providing financial help for young people aged 16-24 resident in the Borough of St Helens for items such as tools, instruments, books, travel and clothing. Carmel College promotes this trust to eligible students.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cirencester College: Large sixth form college in Gloucestershire offering A Levels, BTECs and a broad enrichment programme. Comparable to Carmel in single-campus sixth form model, course breadth and student support ethos.
• Loreto College: Catholic sixth form college in Manchester offering a similar mix of A Levels and BTECs to 16-19 year olds across the North West. Comparable in ethos, curriculum structure and competitive positioning to Carmel College.
• Greenhead College: High-performing sixth form college in Huddersfield consistently ranked among the top in the North of England for A Level results. Comparable to Carmel in scale, academic focus and league-table ambitions.
• Runshaw College: Large general further education college in Lancashire offering A Levels, BTECs and T Levels to a similar 16-19 cohort across the North West. Comparable to Carmel in scale, course breadth and regional competition.
• Aquinas College: Catholic sixth form college in Stockport offering A Levels and vocational courses to 16-19 year olds across Greater Manchester. Closely comparable to Carmel in faith-based ethos, curriculum mix and league-table positioning.
• Hills Road Sixth Form College: Large, high-achieving sixth form college in Cambridge with a broad A Level and vocational portfolio and strong university progression. Comparable to Carmel in mission, breadth of curriculum and consistent league-table performance.
• The Sixth Form College, Farnborough: Dedicated sixth form college in Hampshire providing A Level and BTEC pathways to 16-19 year olds. Comparable to Carmel in single-purpose sixth form model, academic breadth and strong progression outcomes.
• New College Durham: Large further education college in the North East providing A Levels, BTECs, T Levels and higher education programmes. Comparable to Carmel in scale, mixed academic/vocational portfolio and university progression focus.
• Xaverian College: Catholic sixth form college in Manchester with a comparable A Level and BTEC portfolio targeting post-GCSE students in the North West. Directly competes with Carmel for the same Catholic and non-faith applicant pools.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/carmelcollege
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/carmelcollege1
• Facebookfacebook.com/carmelcollege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carmel-college
• Instagraminstagram.com/carmel_college/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Carmel College